BlackBerry founder to potentially bid on company

Mike Lazaridis, one of the co-founders of BlackBerry, has been speaking to private equity firms about a potential bid for the failing company.

Lazaridis stepped down as co-CEO in 2012, as the company searched for a new direction.

The former exec has had conversations with the Blackstone Group and the Carlyle Group about an offer, but the talks are preliminary and could lead to nothing.

As the company continues to search for a buyer, or other 'strategic alternatives,' its shares continue to collapse and reached $8.73 per share on Friday. At its peak in 2008, shares traded at $144, meaning it has seen a 94 percent drop in five years.

Lazaridis co-founded the company in 1985 and is one of its largest shareholders.